Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill passed by the US Congress, calling it “an exceptionally powerful tool”.
According to the head of state, it is symbolic that the US House of Representatives passed the sanctions bill on the night of another Russian attack using ballistic missiles, other missiles and drones against Ukraine.
“Once again, civilian infrastructure came under attack, with damage in eight regions. The Russians struck energy facilities in Sumy and Odesa regions. In Kyiv and Odesa, there were hits on ordinary residential buildings. More than ten people were injured, including children. Some have been taken to hospital. There were fires in many communities,” the President said.
He noted that this document and other strong sanctions steps by partners against Russia are an exceptionally powerful tool that can stop the war and force the Russian Federation to establish peace.
“Sanctions must be strong so that all the work for peace, including our joint diplomatic efforts with America, Europe and other friends, delivers results. I thank members of the House of Representatives, senators and the leaders of the US Congress for supporting this bill. Russia needs to end this war of its own,” Zelenskyy wrote.
- US congressmen gave final approval to the bill authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, which grants Donald Trump the authority to impose “hellish sanctions” on Russia’s trading partners.
- 262 members of the House of Representatives backed the document, while 159 voted against. As it had already received support in the Senate in August, the next step is the President’s signature.
- The bill not only gives the head of state the right to introduce a 100% customs tariff on the value of goods against countries that trade energy resources with Russia, but also provides for direct sanctions against the aggressor state—officials, banks and the shadow fleet. It also separately предусматривает sanctions measures against Iran.